Apparatus for Launching Projectiles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for launching a projectile at a target, the apparatus being an elongate body having a chamber shaped for holding a projectile in a pre-launch position and for directing the projectile when the end of the launching apparatus is flung forward.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for recreationalpurposes and more particularly to an apparatus for launching projectilesat a target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of darts involves a player throwing pointed projectiles ordarts at a target. The target or dartboard is generally circular inshape and is made of a material which allows the points of theprojectiles or darts to remain imbedded in the target while the score istallied. The target is usually divided into different areas which eitherindicate various points to be scored or tracked. The exact nature of thescoring varies depending on the exact game played.

The game of darts is generally played with the target hanging on thewall and the players standing some distance away. Because the tips ofthe darts are pointed, a dart which misses the dartboard is able toembed its tip in the wall upon which the dartboard is hung. Accordingly,it is often necessary to include a large backdrop of some kind toprotect the wall from darts that have flown off course. Additionally,the sharp pointed darts create a safety hazard for nearby players and/orspectators.

One method of avoiding the hazards inherent in throwing sharp objects ata target on a wall comprises rounder tipped darts which are thrown at aspecially modified dartboard. The surface of such a modified dartboardcomprises a series of round nodes or indentations which are shaped toreceive the rounded end of the darts. The rounded ends help mitigate theproblems with a traditional dart set, but do not eliminate them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for launchingprojectiles at a target.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus forlaunching rounded projectiles in a desired arc toward a target.

In still another aspect, the present invention directs toward a gamingassembly.

These and further features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, whereinreference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a target of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the target shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are environmental views of a method of using the apparatusand target of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged portion of a cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged portion of a cross-sectional view of still anotherembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With respect first to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown the apparatus orlauncher of the present invention, shown generally as 10. Launcher 10comprises an elongate body 15 having a first end 16, a second end 17, afront surface 18, and a back surface 19, a side surface 21 and anopposite side surface 23. Body 15 may be made from any material,preferably light weight, but is most preferably made from wood, plastic,metal or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, body 15 comprises a grip or handle 20 whichextends from second end 17 of body 15 toward first end 16. Grip 20preferably has contoured formations 22 along front surface 18 to receivethe fingers of the user of launcher 10 when handle 20 is gripped. Itwill be understood that in certain embodiments formations 22 and/or grip20 may be absent, i.e. the user would grip an external portion of thebody 15. However, the launching apparatus would still be within thescope of the present invention. As will be shown hereafter, grip 20 andparticularly formations 22 provide additional comfort to the user andhelp direct a disc-shaped projectile P in the appropriate direction byensuring the user is holding the launcher correctly.

There is a recess 30 having an opening 35 in front surface 18 positionedproximal first end 16 of body 15. As best seen with reference to FIG. 3,recess 30 is generally hook-shaped when viewed in transversecross-section, having a ramp portion 30A and a hook or cradle portion30B. In a preferred embodiment, ramp portion 30A has a slight concavityalong its length. As will be shown hereafter, the shape of the ramp canvary. The shape of recess 30 allows projectile P to rest in cradeportion 30B without falling out of opening 35 when the launcher is heldin an upright, generally vertical, position and it serves to directprojectile P when it is launched.

Projectile P is preferably disc-shaped and can be made of virtually anymaterial. In a preferred embodiment though, the projectile P isapproximately equivalent in size and weight to that of a United StatesQuarter. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, projectile P remains in cradle 30B ofrecess 30 (FIG. 6) until the launcher 10 is flung forward at the desiredangle (FIG. 7). At this point, projectile P is launched along ramp 30Aof recess 30, out opening 35 and toward a target, shown generally as 60.It will be appreciated that the distance of recess 30 from first end 16can vary, but in a preferred embodiment, recess 30 is proximal first end16 of body 15. The placement of recess 30 further from first end 16 willinherently change the angle at which projectile P is launched.Similarly, a change in length of body 15 will change the angle at whichprojectile P is launched. In general the length of body 15 and therelative placement of recess 30 determine the speed at which theprojectile P is launched. In a preferred embodiment, the length oflauncher 10 is from about 10 to about 13 inches.

Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, there are shown alternate embodiments ofrecess 30 of FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 8, recess 32 is in open communicationwith both the front surface 18 and first end 16 of body 15. In FIG. 9,recess 34 is positioned similarly to recess 30 of FIGS. 1-3 but rampportion 34A is straight rather than concave. It will be appreciated thatthe recess can be tailored in shape to achieve the desired speed,accuracy, angle of launch, etc.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown one embodiment of a targetfor use with the launcher of the present invention. As is generallyunderstood in the art, a prior art dartboard is made of a material inwhich the pointed ends of the darts are easily embedded. The projectilesP contemplated by the present invention are preferably disc-shaped andthus have no pointed ends for embedding in the target. However, a needto determine the location of impact with the target is still present ifthe launcher 10 is used as part of a game. One embodiment of a target isshown generally as 60. Target 60 comprises a box-like structure 70having an upper wall 71, a lower wall 72, first and second side walls 73and 74, a back wall 75 and a front wall 76. Front wall 76 has an opening62 over which is positioned targeting sheet 65. Targeting sheet 65 ispreferably made of paper having a thickness which ensures that it isdurable enough to be held in place over opening 62 but which allows theprojectile P to pass through it. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, targetingsheet 65 is held in place over opening 62 by spring hinges 90 and 92positioned above and below opening 62, respectively. Spring hinge 90 hasfirst leaf 90A and second leaf 90B. To insert the targeting sheet, theuser can press the first leaf 90A toward the target which will in turnrelease second leaf 90B so that the targeting sheet can be slid beneathit. Releasing leaf 90A will then force leaf 90B to grip targeting sheet.The same mechanism is used in opening spring hinge 92 below opening 62.It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown and described withrespect to FIGS. 4 and 5 is one of many target embodiments that could beused. Other means for holding a sheet in place over opening 62 arewithin the scope of the invention. Such means include, but are notlimited to, the use of magnets, notched slats, etc.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, the method of using the launcher 10 and target60 are shown. As seen in FIG. 6, the user places projectile P intorecess 30, tilts the launcher 10 at a slight angle away from target 60,and takes aim at target 60. When the user is satisfied with the aim, theuser flicks his/her wrist forward, as seen in FIG. 7, quickly moving thelauncher in the direction of arrow A. This motion ejects projectile Pfrom recess 30, out opening 35 and toward target 60. If the user's aimis accurate, projectile P will strike and pass through targeting sheet65 to land in box 70 of target 60.

In one embodiment, and as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,side walls 73 and 74 and back wall 75 of box 70 have lower portions 73A,74A, and 75A, respectively, which are angled inwardly. Additionally,bottom wall 72 is attached to lower back wall portion 75A by a hinge andis held closed by latch 82 on front wall 76. This design of target 60allows for easy collection of the projectiles at the end of a turn/roundin a game. After being launched through targeting sheet 65, theprojectiles fall onto bottom wall 72 of box 70. The user may thenrelease latch 82 to open bottom wall 72 and collect the projectiles P.Bottom wall 72 may then be returned to its closed position and latch 82closed again for the next round or the next game. In this fashion, theuser can easily collect the projectiles in one location and retrievethem from box 70 without the need to remove targeting sheet 65 betweeneach turn.

As shown in FIG. 5, the targeting sheet 65 can have a well-knownbullseye design comprised of a series of concentric rings. The designdisplayed on the targeting sheet can of course be anything and thebullseye shown in FIG. 5 is for illustrative purposes and is notintended to limit the invention in anyway.

The launcher can be used without a specialized target. For example, theprojectiles P may be launched into a bucket or the like. The launchermay also be used in the manner of a sling shot. Additionally, the recessof the launcher may be shaped to hold spherical projectiles such aspaint balls, BB pellets, ball bearings, or the like.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been describedherein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes ofexplaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown anddescribed is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations andmodifications, including but not limited to those design alternativesspecifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of theinvention without departing from its scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for launching a projectile,comprising: an elongate body having a first end, a second end, a frontface, and a back face; and a recess formed in said front face of saidbody proximal said first end of said body, said recess having a firstportion and a second portion, said second portion of said recess beingshaped to hold a projectile when said body is in a first, pre-launchposition said first portion of said recess forming a ramp to direct saidprojectile in a forwardly direction when said body is moved to a second,launch position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ramp of saidrecess is slightly concave.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein secondportion of said recess is shaped to hold a disc-shaped projectile. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a handle proximal saidsecond end of said body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein saidhandle is on said second end of said body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4,further comprising; a plurality of contoured formations along saidhandle, forming a grip.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firstportion of said recess is in open communication with said front face andsaid first end of said body.
 8. A game assembly, comprising: a launchingapparatus, said launching apparatus comprising: an elongate body havinga first end, a second end, a front face, and a back face; and a recessformed in said front face of said body proximal said first end of saidbody, said recess having a first portion and a second portion, saidsecond portion of said recess being shaped to hold a projectile whensaid body is in a first, pre-launch position said first portion of saidrecess forming a ramp to direct said projectile in a forwardly directionwhen said body is moved to a second, launch position; and a target forindicating impact of said launched projectile.
 9. The assembly of claim8, wherein said target comprises: a receiving structure having a front,target wall having an opening; and a target sheet positioned over saidopening in said front wall.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein saidtarget has a back wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, a first side wall,and a second, opposite side wall.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, whereinsaid bottom wall is pivotally connected to said back wall.
 12. Theassembly of claim 11, further comprising: a latch on said front wall,said latch selectively securing said bottom wall in a closed position.13. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said target sheet is held in placeby at least one leaf spring.
 14. A method of launching a projectile at atarget, comprising: providing a launcher comprised of an elongate bodyhaving a first end, a second end, a front face, and a back face;providing a recess formed in said front face of said body proximal saidfirst end of said body, said recess having a first portion and a secondportion, said second portion of said recess being shaped to hold aprojectile, said first portion of said recess forming a ramp to directsaid projectile in a forwardly direction; and providing a target;placing a projectile in said recess; positioning said launcher in apre-launch position wherein said first end of said launcher is tilted ata slight angle away from said target; flinging said first end of saidlauncher toward said target such that said projectile is ejected fromsaid chamber toward said target.